Air-flask joint



Nov. 20 1923 1,474,375

J. J. RE

AAAAAAAAAAAA T ent. l0 1.920 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 JOHN J. MOORE, OE NEWPORT,

PATENT OFFICE.

RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AIR-FLASK JOINT.

Application filed September 10, 1920. Serial No. 409,490.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. MOORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newport, Rhode Island, have'invented new and useful Improvements in Air-Flask Joints, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in torpedoes and more particularly to an improved joint between the sections of the torpedo shell.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple and practical means of connecting two parts of the torpedo shell.

Another object is -to provide an improved 'joint between the air flask and the afterbody of the torpedo which will be substantially air and water tight.

A further object is to provide an improved structure of torpedo shell adjacent the air flask and water compartment of a torpedo which will be less expensive to manufacture or construct than the present arrangement and which will be more reliable and eflicient in use and operation.

A further object is to provide an improved joint between the air and water flasksof a torpedo adapted to fully withstand the high pressures to which it is subjected and positively prevent moisture reaching the filleted corners thereby causing corrosion which will otherwise weaken the flask.

With these and other objects in mind attention is directed to the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views of the joint of the air flask and after-body at their point of connection taken at different points about the circumference of the torpedo.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the parts "before being connected.

Figure ,6 is a detail view.

As is well known to those skilled in the art the central part of a torpedo constitutes the air flask as it is called, that is, a relatively lar e chamber adapted to contain air underhig pressure, or approximately 4000 pounds and immediatelybehind this air flask are the water and alcohol flasks, the water being used in connection with the compressed air and alcohol spray to cool the burner yet at the same timebe converted into super-heated steam thereby materially aiding in the propulsion of the torpedo as it passes out with the products of combustion from the combustion flask to the turbines.

Generally the'air flask is provided with a separate head separating the air flask from the water flask. It has been an exceedingly difficult task to so fit and machine the parts is directed to the accompanying sheets of drawing wherein 1O denotes the forward end of the after-body of a torpedo of standard construction provided with a bulkhead only a portion of which is indicated at 11 positively separating the air flask indicated at 12 directly from the water flask. The air flask body indicated at 13 is provided with threads 14 adapted to coact with the threads 15 on the inner surface of the after-body 10. An outwardly extending flange 16 on the central part of thetorpedo coacts with a recess 17 at the forward end of the after-body thus making a tight joint at this point.

In order to positively prevent leakage three rings preferably of lead or other soft material are positioned at the points 18, 19 and 20 as indicated in Figure 1. The

'two rings 18 and 19 are relatively flat and coact between the ends of the threaded members as shown. The ring 20, however, is counter-sunk in an annular groove as shown in Figure 5 and formed as a part of the thread so as to coact with the member 13. After the parts are assembled a series of set screws 21are placed in the ta ped out holes 22, Figure 5, and screwed own with suificient pressure to force the soft metal 20 into place all around the torpedo body thus positively insuring an absolutely air tight joint. When the parts are assembled the joint on the surface of the flask is discernible only upon very close inspection. The joint prevents any air leaking from the flask to the water compartment and any other leak occurring may be overcome by tightening the screws on with constructions in use.

the lead packing ring. When once assembled it is intended that the joint will never be broken. An inspection of the inside of the flask at the forward end only is required thus eliminating the repeated scraping and grinding in the after-head now necessary If desired lead pellets 23 may be introduced between-the set screws and packing member as indi cated in Figure 6 thus lessening the chance of the set'screw being turned down on to the coacting member.

The invention is of simple and practical construction reliable and efiicient in use and operation and is believed to accomplish among others all of the objects and advan- I tages herein set forth.

Without further analysis, "the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within' the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claim.

What I claim is':

In a torpedo construction, in combination, a central bodycand an end body each provided with coacting threaded surfaces whereby the parts may be screwed together, 7

positioned at the ends of the threaded surface adapted to be clamped as the parts are screwed together.

Signed at Newport, Rhode Island, this 26th day of June 1920.

JOHN J. MOORE. 

